Yasiin Bey Acknowledges Drake’s Talent but Calls for More Substance in Music
Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, has acknowledged Drake’s talent as an MC but expressed a desire for more substance in his music. In an Instagram Live session, Bey directly addressed Drake, inviting him to reach out for a discussion and clarifying some of his earlier comments.
“Drake, if you’d like to speak to me directly, you can at any point,” Yasiin stated. “You are a very talented MC, but for me, I require more of myself and others than just talent or charm or charisma—particularly in times of urgent crisis.”
Bey emphasized the need for creators in the cultural landscape to connect beyond entertainment, stating, “What I would like to see in terms of creators or creative people in the world is for people to connect with us beyond the jukebox or the dance floor.”
He concluded by questioning the authenticity of friendships and support during challenging times, stating, “A fair-weather friend can hardly be called a friend at all. The people who party with you—that’s cool. But will they show up for you when you’re at the triage?”
Yasiin Bey’s initial comments were made during a Patreon-exclusive interview earlier this month, where he referred to Drake’s music as “pop” and suggested it felt compatible with shopping, comparing it to music played in Target. Despite finding Drake’s music “likeable,” Bey questioned its relevance during what he referred to as “the collapse of empire.”
Drake responded on Instagram by sharing an old interview clip of Method Man, referencing Bey’s classic song “UMI Says.” In the clip, Method Man defines Hip Hop as a culture encompassing various elements. The exchange continued with Drake commenting on an Instagram video about Bey’s personal life, using Toronto slang, which led to further responses from both sides.
While some artists, like Common, have defended Drake, acknowledging his roots in Hip Hop and praising his talents, the exchange highlights ongoing discussions about the direction and substance of music in the industry.
